- Jadon Sancho has insisted he is doing everything he can to become ‘a better player’
- The Borussia Dortmund winger is looking forward to glory in the Champions League final
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Jadon Sancho has insisted he is constantly working to become a ‘better player’ as he eyes glory in the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund.
In September, Sancho was banned from Manchester United and sent back to Dortmund in January after falling out with manager Erik ten Hag.
In a post on social media, Sancho effectively branded Ten Hag a liar over the reasons why he left the player out of his squad for not training hard enough.
However, Sancho will have the last laugh when he plays for Dortmund against Real Madrid in the Champions League final at Wembley, a week after Ten Hag won the FA Cup there in what could be his last game in charge.
Now the United loanee has admitted that – despite what people may think – he is constantly working to become ‘a better player’.
Jadon Sancho is looking forward to European glory ahead of Saturday night’s Champions League final
After being left out of Manchester United, it was a remarkable comeback for the winger
Speak with The sun, he said, “I don’t think anyone expected this. I’m in a Champions League final. I’m so happy. I am blessed.
“Game after game I’ve been working on myself, trying to become a better player. Doing extras behind closed doors. Everything I do is for the team and I am grateful to them – and the staff – for welcoming me back.
‘I can’t thank my mother and father enough. Also my brothers and sisters. I know what my mother will say. She’ll say, “Win or lose, I still love you son!” My dad will probably send a message to my phone right now saying, “Are you working out??” But either way, my whole family will be proud of me.”
It was recently revealed by United forwards coach Benni McCarthy. Sancho refused to apologize to Ten Hag, believing it would have meant admitting he was lazy and unprofessional – which is far from the truth.
The winger then discussed his return to Wembley for a final, which brings back memories of the final nightmare of Euro 2020 that he, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka endured.
The Three Lions stars stepped up their efforts in England’s penalty shootout against Italy and all missed, bringing a barrage of online abuse for the players.
Reflecting on that, Sancho said: ‘It was difficult. The backlash was not pleasant. Being in London, I never in a million years thought we would receive that. It’s a memory I’m trying to block out, but I just have to be positive.
‘It’s football for you. People say things when I’m sure they don’t mean it. But they need to realize that when they say those things, it does affect us. Then it was summer vacation and that summer was tough. Just thinking, ‘Why did it have to be me?’
Sancho took time to reflect on his miss in England’s decisive shootout defeat to Italy at Euro 2020
The Borussia Dortmund winger admitted it was ‘difficult’ to recover mentally from that moment
It has been a difficult road back to the top for Sancho, who refused to back down from his position at United despite speaking to striker coach McCarthy.
“I spoke to Jadon as a coach, as a mentor, as a friend and as someone who grew up on the streets and knows the code,” McCarthy said.
‘But Jadon just didn’t see it. He said: “I don’t apologize because if I do, I apologize for being lazy, always being late, not trying my best – that’s what I apologize for.” Those were his reasons.”
“I spoke to the manager and I said to him that you know the delicacy, and I think Jadon feels that if he apologizes, he will be classified as someone who doesn’t train hard, doesn’t work hard, all that does what was told to him was true.”